Route 116 Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan July 2013 Outdoor Recreational Resources C H A P T E R 4 Route 116 Scenic Byway Introduction The many outdoor recreational resources along the Route 116 Scenic Byway include both popular and less-known places and activities. Additionally, the recreational resources are closely tied to the seasons and the rural landscape of the corridor, creating an ever- changing place for recreation. Winter brings opportunities to cross-country ski and snowshoe, while spring provides warmer weather for wildflower hikes. Summer is an excellent time to fish and paddle on rivers and lakes, and autumn provides opportunities to view the Byway’s spectacular foliage. This chapter details the outdoor recreational resources along the Byway, and discusses potential issues and concerns that could affect the quality of these resources over time. The chapter concludes with recommendations to protect, maintain, and enhance the Byway’s recreational resources. Resources located directly on or within a half-mile radius of the Route 116 Scenic Byway are noted with this roadway symbol. While the Corridor Management Plan focuses on resources within a half‐mile radius of the Route 116 Scenic Byway, this section of the report also includes attractions that are located outside of the study area boundary, but within the towns along the Byway. Activities at each site are shown in italics. Resources with recreational access for people of all abilities (universal access) are noted with this symbol. Information on sites with universal access is located on pages 22 through 24. State Forests, Wildlife Management Areas, and Other Open Spaces Sunderland Connecticut River Greenway State Park (Multiple Towns) The Connecticut River Greenway is one of Massachusetts' newest State Parks. It connects open spaces, parks, scenic vistas, and archaeological and historic sites along the length of the Connecticut River as it passes through the state. There are over 12 miles of permanently protected shoreline, and numerous river access points along the Greenway, including one that is within the Byway study area. Visitors can access the Connecticut River via a dirt road ramp at the end of School Street in Sunderland. Parking is available Chapter 4: Outdoor Recreational Resources 87 Route 116 Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan July 2013 at the Sunderland Public Library on School Street. Boating (motorized and non- motorized), boat ramp, fishing, river access. www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/crgw.htm • 413-586-8706 x12 Mt. Toby State Forest At more than 1,200 feet in height, Mt. Toby looms over the middle Connecticut River Valley offering panoramic views to those who will make the trek on a moderate hiking trail of about 6 miles. There are shorter hiking trials as well. Mt. Toby features cliffs, caves, waterfalls, wetlands and open fields. Cranberry Pond is a small pond at the foot of Mt Toby and offers opportunities for kayaking. Parking is located off Route 47 about one half mile east on Reservation Road. Birding, hiking, and wildlife viewing. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/crgw.htm • 413-586-8706 x12 Deerfield Mahican-Mohawk Trail (Multiple Towns) The Mahican-Mohawk Trail is envisioned as a 100-mile long trail from the Connecticut River to the Hudson River that follows the corridor of an historic Native American path. Currently only about 34 miles are open. Some trail segments follow roads and rivers and do not connect to one another. The trail can be accessed in Deerfield on Hoosac Road, just west of Stillwater Road. From this trailhead, a 3.5 mile trail follows an old railroad bed to Bardwell’s Ferry Road. Hiking. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/greenway/mahicanmohawk.htm#Where Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation Offering commanding views of the Connecticut River, the Pioneer Valley, and the Pelham and Berkshire Hills, Mount Sugarloaf boasts over 500 acres of park land used primarily for hiking and scenic viewing. The hiking trails can be accessed from the parking area located on Sugarloaf Street at the base of the mountain and at the summit. An auto road winds to the summit, making South Mount Sugarloaf accessible by private automobiles from spring to fall. The auto road is also popular for hikers. Once at the summit, visitors can utilize the parking areas, restrooms, and a pavilion for scenic viewing and picnicking. Auto trail, hiking, pavilion, picnicking, scenic overlook. www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/central/msug.htm • 300 Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield • 413-665- 2928 Whately Conway State Forest (West Whately and Conway) This state forest is made up of nearly 2000 acres of land with trails, streams and extensive forests. See complete listing below in Conway section. Graves Farm Wildlife Sanctuary (Whately and Williamsburg) This 650-acre sanctuary contains rich forest with pristine cold-water. The property features beaver meadows and old fields, now managed by Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary for bluebirds, bobolinks, swallows, and butterflies. A mile-long trail leads from the parking Chapter 4: Outdoor Recreational Resources 88 Route 116 Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan July 2013 area along a field, and enters a mixed forest of pine, oak, and beech trees. Because the sanctuary abuts several parcels of preserved land, large mammals such as bear, deer, fishers, coyotes, bobcats, and moose are present. Public programs are scheduled for the property each season through Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton. Access is via Adams Road in Williamsburg where there is a small parking lot on the south side of the road at the Mass Audubon sign. Birding, hiking, and wildlife viewing. No hunting, fishing, or trapping, and no dog walking. www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Graves_Farm/index.php • 413-584- 3009 Whately Wildlife Management Area This 243-acre wildlife area is composed primarily of steep, hilly terrain with some areas of plateau and hilltop. Mixed hardwood forests dominate the area and there are several acres of wooded swamp. The headwaters of Ground Brook and Grass Hill Brook are also located on this property. The area is situated between Grass Hill, Williamsburg, and Webber Roads. Access is best off Grass Hill Road, a discontinued dirt road which is still passable with a good 4WD vehicle. Birding, hiking, hunting, and wildlife viewing. www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw Conway Conway Hills Wildlife Sanctuary This property was once cow pastures and hay and tobacco fields. The spirit of the farm is still captured in old foundations, rock walls, and mature sugar maples. While the large field continues the agricultural tradition of the western hill towns, the forested areas of the sanctuary provide habitat for wildlife including black bear, fisher, coyote, moose, and bobcat. Mill River flows through the property and supports brook trout, stone flies, salamanders, frogs, dragonflies, and other riparian species. Parking is available on grassy area in front of the sign. Birding and hiking. Conway Town Ball Field The Conway Town Ball Field is located adjacent to the Town Commons. Parking is available on Academy Hill Road. Ball field and passive recreation. Route 116 Conway State Forest (Conway and West Whately) This forest is owned and managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MA DCR). The Conway State Forest is comprised of nearly 2,000 acres with trails, streams, and extensive forests and is located on West Whately Road in Conway. Parking is available on a set-aside near the end of Cricket Hill Road. Fishing, hiking, and hunting. Whately Road • 413-268-7098 Poland Brook Wildlife Management Area Owned and managed by the Massachusetts Division of Wildlife, this 664-acre area was once a dairy farm. Some fields are leased to farmers and others a kept mowed to benefit wildlife. The area can be reached 1.9 miles south of Route 116, at the junction of North Chapter 4: Outdoor Recreational Resources 89 Route 116 Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan July 2013 Poland Road and Main Poland Road, where parking is available. Birding, fishing, hiking, and hunting. www.timberdoodle.org/demo/poland-brook-wildlife-management-area-franklin-county- massachusetts • North Poland and Main Poland Roads South River State Forest This forest is divided into two sections with a sliver of the property located on the South River Gorge and the other section bordering the Deerfield River, in the northern section of Conway. The South River State Forest can be reached by taking Bardswell Ferry Road to South Station Road. Station Road ends at the very point where the freight yards and passenger station existed, where steam rail and electric met and where the South River enters the Deerfield one hundred feet below. Immense granite bridge abutments, remnants of the High Bridge, still stand. Parking is available at the Old Station. Birding, fishing, and hiking. http://southriver.franklinsites.com/ • South Station Road Whately Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area (Conway and Whately) This 298-acre area is made up of several disjunct parcels and is mostly swamp, with some upland in the northern parcels. The Great Swamp is owned by the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and the forests on this site include mixed hardwoods, beech, swamp maple and conifer. Several beaver impoundments are located in the Great Swamp, as are portions of the Mill River, which is a fish-stocked river. Wildlife includes turkey, bear, and stocked pheasant. The northern end of the property is located one-half mile from Route 116. Parking is available at a pullout on Routes 5 and 10 near Swamp Road. Fishing, hiking, and hunting. www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/habitat/maps/wma/valleywma/whatelygreatswampwma.pdf • 508-389-6300 • Routes 5 and 10 in Whately Ashfield Ashfield Trails Ashfield Trails is a volunteer collaborative which for several years has been working to establish a community network of trails and footpaths in and around the Town of Ashfield.